Can I let you in on a secret about how to prepare your pool for summer? Depending on where you live, getting your pool ready in early-spring will allow you to enjoy it on occasional weekends as soon as the temperatures start hitting the 70s and 80s. All you need is a good cover, which you should have anyway, and some bravery to submerge in those potentially chilly waters.

Get your pool ready for summer by following these five steps.

1. Clean Your Pool and Filter

Start this easy weekend DIY project by taking off the cover of your in-ground or above ground pool and skimming any leaves and debris. At this point, don’t focus on the color of the water, which may be tinged green or even slightly brown. Instead, focus on anything big and clunky that may clog the pool’s filter.

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Speaking of filters, you must also clean these when opening an in ground pool. Simply lift the filter itself, brush off any large debris, and then run it under cold water for a couple of minutes.

2. Add Chemicals and Fill with Water

Next, add enough water from a garden hose to fill your entire pool. Don’t worry, it’s absolutely fine to mix your “dirty” water with the fresh hose water — you’ll be adding chemicals soon to help clean it all.

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Turn on your pool equipment, including the filter and pump, and let it run for 24 hours. If your pump doesn’t start processing the pool water right away, remove the lid to the pump and add water to get the system going.

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It’s best to “shock” your pool early on using 1 pound of chlorine shock for every 5,000 gallons of water.

3. Balance the Levels

After allowing your pool system and the chlorine work their magic for 24-48 hours, test your water’s chemical levels to get your pool ready for swimming.

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For a safe swimming experience, use a pool chemical test kit to verify that all your levels are within these ranges:

4. Monitor the Filter and Water Color

For the next several days and weeks, keep a close eye on your filter and water color. Continue to remove any debris such as leaves, sticks, or other matter trapped in your filter so that the water can continue to flow through the system effectively.

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Once the color of your water turns crystal clear and your levels balance out (see Step #3), you’re ready to complete the final step.

5. Vacuum, Scrub, and Prepare

Finally, scrub, vacuum and skim your pool so it’s in tip-top shape. Add your ladder and any other pool accoutrements such as floating chlorine pods.

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At last, your pool is ready to be enjoyed. Consider using a solar cover to help warm up your pool and keep it free of leaves that fall overnight.

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When you get your pool ready in the middle of spring, you’re guaranteed to get a few extra weeks of pool-time under your belt. That way, you can “Just Keep Swimming” as soon as the weather gets nice.